Paperwhites are the official flower of December, and growing them is a fun, simple project for you and your family.

The flowers earned their botanical name, Narcissus, based on Greek mythology. Narcissus, infatuated by his own reflection in a pool, stared at himself until the gods turned him into a flower. For this reason, the flower represents self-admiration. Ironically, these plants grow naturally near a pond and bend over as if they were viewing their own reflection. Originally imported from France, these beauties grow to about 16 inches tall and have a lovely, sweet fragrance.

• In order for your paperwhites to bloom during the Christmas season, plant bulbs in November.

• If you would like to grow them indoors, use a shallow dish, glass bowl, or bulb vase and fill it three-quarters full of gravel (make sure to rinse the gravel). Place the bulbs in the gravel and add more gravel between the bulbs to anchor them in place. Fill your container with water to the bottom of the bulbs and place them in a well lit room — windowsills are a great location. To keep your bloom stalks from falling over, when the bud has emerged, replace water with a mixture of half water and half drinking alcohol (gin or vodka work best).

• To grow paperwhites in the garden, start with firm, large bulbs, the bigger the better. Plant them 1 inch deep and at least 1 inch apart. Fertilizer is not needed. You should see your paperwhites bloom in four to six weeks. Plant new bulbs every two weeks for a season long, continuous blooming display.

• The most important thing for paperwhites, whether you are tending to them indoors or outdoors, is to never let them dry out.

Your local nursery has kits with everything you need (bulbs, gravel and a vase). For a great plant that comes back year after year during the holidays, make sure you consider paperwhites.

Patty Cordero is a California Certified Nursery Professional and the manager of the Armstrong Garden Center in Mission Valley. Email questions for her to growingdialogue@armstronggarden.com